Several large projects are being developed in Sri Lanka as international investors come calling.
Havelock City
A US$350 million (Dh1.28 billion) city-within-a-city, with more than 1,000 apartments, a hotel and a large shopping mall on a 6.8-hectare site in Colombo. Described as a "flawless amalgamation of contemporary living and entertainment", the project is a joint venture between the Bank of Ceylon and Overseas Realty, backed by Singapore's Shing Kwan Group.
Shangri-La Hotels
The hotel group is moving into the market with two luxury projects - a 500-room hotel in Colombo, scheduled to open in 2014, and a 300-room hotel to open in 2013 on 40 hectares in Hambantota, on the southern coast.
Kalpitiya Resort
This is the largest tourism development in the country. Located 150km north of Colombo, the project calls for 5,000 hotel rooms on two scenic bays and 14 islands designated for development. The area borders a marine reserve and natural estuaries.
Passikudah Resort
Plans for this stretch of eastern coastline, another area designated for tourism development, were put on hold for years because of the civil war. Now foreign investors are expected to build 13 hotels.
Galle Face Green Island
Plans are in the early stages for a 200-hectare port city on reclaimed land off the coast of Colombo. A Chinese group is reported to be set to spend $700m to build the project, which will include port facilities, marinas, tourism facilities, hotels and office towers. The island will be connected to the mainland bymonorail and bridge.
kbrass@thenational.ae
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars